'''Autistic Pride Day''' is celebrated on [[June 18]] each year.{{ref|autisticprdeday}} It is a day of celebration of the [[neurodiversity]] of people on the [[autism spectrum]].

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'''Autistic Pride Day''' is celebrated on June 18 each year.{{ref|autisticprdeday}} It is a day of celebration of the [[neurodiversity]] of people on the [[autism spectrum]].

Families around the world celebrate in numerous public events; there are also gatherings of autistics via [[Internet Relay Chat|IRC]]{{ref|autisticprideday}} so that many can communicate together in real time.

Families around the world celebrate in numerous public events; there are also gatherings of autistics via [[Internet Relay Chat|IRC]]{{ref|autisticprideday}} so that many can communicate together in real time.

Latest revision as of 15:44, November 24, 2007

Families around the world celebrate in numerous public events; there are also gatherings of autistics via IRC[2] so that many can communicate together in real time.

Autistic Pride day is an Aspies for Freedom initiative. This autism rights group aims to educate the general public with initiatives to end ignorance of the issues involving the autistic community.

The day has captured public interest as it is a novel idea to some members of the public whose previous perception of autism was one of innate suffering and helplessness. The fact that it is a condition that has positive aspects that can be celebrated has been accepted by researchers such as Professor Simon Baron-Cohen. New Scientist magazine released an article entitled "Autistic and proud" on the first Autistic Pride Day that discussed the idea.[3]

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Advocates of autistic pride reject the notion that there is an ideal, and thus desirable, structure to the human brain. This notion leads many practitioners of psychiatry to assume that any deviation requires a "cure" to achieve conformity to the 'neurotypical' norm. Some supporters believe a form of ethnic cleansing is being imposed by advocates of a cure for autism. All believe that, at a bare minimum, there should be greater consideration shown for members of the autistic community as unique individuals.

Advocates of autistic pride point out that homosexuality was once classified as a form of mental illness that could be treated medically with libido-reducing hormonal therapy. Only after political agitation from the gay rights movement did this classification become obsolete. One of the enduring expressions of this movement is gay pride. The Autistic Pride Day hopes to start the same process of education of this view and activism, with the goals of promoting the basic human rights of autistics and finding a valued home for their individual voice and talents in modern society.